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FOX 4 News---The Lee, Collier and Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with The Florida Sheriffs Task Force recently launched an initiative to remove felons from Florida’s streets. Operation Felon Sweep focused on removing violent felons, felons with outstanding warrants, and sexual offenders and predators from our communities.
The sweep began on September 28, 2012 and concluded on October 22nd. Deputies with the Sheriff’s Office arrested individuals on charges ranging from homicide to prescription fraud, armed robbery, sexual assault and burglary. In total, 458 felons were snatched off Lee County streets and put behind bars on for 1,074 felony charges accompanied by 305 misdemeanor charges. Additionally, 419 sexual offenders were checked with 3 arrested on violations.
Collier County made felony arrests resulting in 265 felony charges and 118 misdemeanor charges. Deputies also confiscated seven guns, 12.49 pounds of marijuana, 49.7 grams of cocaine, 331 grams of prescription pills and $56,015 cash.
The breakdown of the 555 charges in Charlotte County resulted in 404 total felony charges; 151 accompanying misdemeanor charges to the felony warrants; 12 for Aggravated Battery; seven for Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer; five each for felony Domestic Violence, and all other felony Battery; three each for Armed Robbery/Home Invasion/Carjacking, and Forcible Sex; two each for Child Abuse, and firearm related arrest; and one each for Kidnap/False Imprisonment, and other felony charge.
Seized during the 25 day arrest round up operation were two firearms, 129.45 grams of marijuana; 34 grams of Cocaine/Crack; four grams Methamphetamine; and 340.5 prescription pills. (This does not include quantities of the many drugs purchased in previous undercover operations that resulted in warrants being issued). CCSO deputies also made 98 sex offender checks with five arrests.
The Florida Sheriffs Task Force is proud to have coordinated this effort to make Florida’s streets a safer place for its citizens. This operation combined efforts from 43 Sheriff’s Offices and focused on removing violent felons and felons with outstanding warrants off the streets. Across Florida, the Operation resulted in 11,875 arrests and seized close to a thousand pounds of illegal drugs. “Felonies are taken very seriously and we at the Florida Sheriffs Association are proud to lead this initiative to get criminals off the streets,” said FSA President, Sheriff Susan Benton. “The Florida Sheriffs Task Force will continue to work tirelessly to make Florida one of the safest states in the country.”